A 64-year-old man has today appeared at Tauranga District Court charged with the murder of a woman who was found dead in the suburb of Judea.

Police were yesterday called to a house on Bell Street after a member of the public reported a dispute between a man and a woman.

When police arrived, they found a woman's body lying by the driveway. She had reportedly been stabbed, although police will not confirm this.

The man was arrested shortly after, and appeared in court today.

Police said they have now formally identified the woman, who was in her 50s, and notified her next of kin.

However, they were unable to release her details as both she and the man had received interim name suppression.

The man has been remanded in custody and was set to reappear in Tauranga District Court on Monday.

Police said a forensic examination of the scene was underway and was anticipated to be completed later today.

A post mortem would then be carried out on Monday to establish cause of death.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Tauranga police.

- © Fairfax NZ News